Bachelor of Fine Arts
at Murdoch University, Western Australia.
A studio-based fine-arts degree with majors in painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, screen, sound, performance or expanded practice. Includes an annual graduate exhibition.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the Murdoch University Bachelor of Fine Arts. We never invent figures; entries marked "not published" mean the university or admissions centre has not released a verified cutoff for that intake.
| Intake year | ATAR cutoff | Admissions centre |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | TISC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | TISC |
| 2022 | ATAR cutoff not published | TISC |
No verified cutoffs are available. Confirm the latest figure on the official TISC cutoff release.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
First year is a broad studio foundation. You experiment across media such as drawing, painting, photography, screen, sound and sculpture, learn core technical and workshop skills, and study art history and contemporary theory. Studios run on briefs, making and group critique rather than exams. Second year is where you commit to a major studio practice and start developing a personal body of work. Units pair studio production with critical theory, professional skills and exhibition methods. You learn to document and talk about your work, write artist statements and respond to critique from staff and peers. Final year is built around a self-directed major project and the graduate exhibition, which doubles as your first public showing and a portfolio for galleries, residencies and further study. You also take professional-practice units on grants, commissions, freelancing and working in the arts and cultural sector.
Example first-year subjects
- Studio Foundations
- Drawing and Image-Making
- Introduction to Art History
- Contemporary Art and Ideas
- Materials and Workshop Practice
- Lens-Based and Time-Based Media
How you will be assessed
- Studio works assessed on concept, process and resolution
- Group and individual critiques
- Folio and exhibition submissions
- Artist statements and reflective writing
- Written essays in art history and theory
- Final-year major project and graduate exhibition
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as practising artists, screen and stage performers, art directors and gallery educators across the cultural sector.
- Common destinations include exhibition assistant roles at state galleries, freelance studio practice and arts-administration positions in regional councils.
- Many alumni progress into curatorial roles, postgraduate study or arts education in secondary schools.
Typical first jobs
- Practising artist building a freelance studio career
- Gallery or exhibition assistant
- Arts educator or workshop facilitator
- Studio or production assistant
- Arts-administration or community-arts officer
- Photographer, screen or sound creative
Graduate starting salary
$55,000 - $65,000 per year
Source: https://www.qilt.edu.au/surveys/graduate-outcomes-survey-(gos). Last reviewed 2026-05-24.
After graduation
Most graduates build a freelance studio practice alongside paid work in galleries, studios, schools or the wider creative sector, since full-time arts roles are competitive. Postgraduate options include a research Honours year, a Master of Fine Arts or creative-arts research, and the Master of Teaching for those wanting to teach art in secondary schools. Some move into curatorial, arts-administration or community-arts roles, often with further study.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Committed makers with a strong drive to create
- People who can take and use critical feedback on personal work
- Self-directed students who manage long open-ended projects
- Those curious about contemporary art, theory and culture
- Students prepared to work toward portfolio careers
It is probably not for you if
- People who need a clear, salaried career path at graduation
- Students uncomfortable showing personal work for public critique
- Those who prefer structured, right-or-wrong assessment
- People unwilling to fund and self-manage a creative practice
Related courses at Murdoch
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the Murdoch University handbook and on TISC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/murdoch/bachelor-of-fine-arts.